Picture This
Email ‘Picture This’ photos with a caption and contact information to [email protected]
Hooplandia Leadership Award
At the recent Hooplandia 3-on-3 basketball tournament, the annual Hooplandia Leadership Award, sponsored by Bulkley Richardson, was given to John Doleva, president and CEO of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield. The Leadership Award is presented each year to a deserving person, group, or organization within the community that exhibits the qualities of good leadership: bravery, respect, positive attitude, integrity, and fair play.
Pictured, from left: Eastern States Exposition President and CEO Gene Cassidy, Doleva, and Bulkley Richardson Partner Mark Cress.
Encouraging Summer Reading
Thanks to a grant from the Beveridge Family Foundation, Link to Libraries provided every second-grade student at Highland, Southampton Road, Westfield River, Paper Mill, and Munger Hill elementary schools in Westfield with a free, new book to read over the summer, a baseball hat, and a bookmark. Each of these schools participates in Link to Libraries’ Community Book Link and Read Aloud programs.
Pictured, from left: Highland Principal Erica Masciadrelli, volunteer reader Joanne Fouche, Peter Weston of the Beveridge Family Foundation, and volunteer readers Cindy Gaylord and Alison Hamilton.
Creature Comforts
On June 13, team members from Whittlesey’s Holyoke office participated in the firm’s 15th annual Community Day at the Zoo in Forest Park & Education Center in Springfield. Volunteers spent the day painting fences, cleaning the grounds, and constructing wooden display boxes, hands-on work that supports the zoo’s mission of caring for non-releasable animals and promoting conservation education. Community Day is an annual tradition at Whittlesey, during which employees set aside their usual work to support local nonprofit organizations. In addition to the efforts of the Holyoke team, volunteers participated in projects across Connecticut.
On June 13, team members from Whittlesey’s Holyoke office participated in the firm’s 15th annual Community Day at the Zoo in Forest Park & Education Center in Springfield
Law Enforcement Torch Run
On June 4, Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C. (MBK) hosted a rally for the final leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Massachusetts, welcoming athletes, law enforcement officers, and supporters as they finished carrying the Flame of Hope across Massachusetts. The event was held at PeoplesBank headquarters, spearheaded by MBK’s Lauren Foley, senior associate, and Christopher Soderberg, Audit and Assurance supervisor, who brought together employees from MBK and other businesses to show their support for the Special Olympics athletes and law enforcement officers across the state.
On June 4, Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C. (MBK) hosted a rally for the final leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Massachusetts, welcoming athletes, law enforcement officers, and supporters as they finished carrying the Flame of Hope across Massachusetts
Supporting Communities
In celebration of Liberty Bank’s 200th anniversary, the Liberty Bank Foundation recently announced $1,825 grants to organizations in each town where the bank has a branch, for a total of $87,600 to 48 organizations. All recipient organizations were selected by bank customers, and the East Longmeadow branch gave its $1,825 donation to the Ronald McDonald House of Springfield.
Pictured, from left: Michelle D’Amore, CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts, and Teresa Parker, Liberty Bank’s East Longmeadow branch manager.
Gathering of Local Legal Lights
The Hampden County Bar Assoc. (HCBA) held its annual meeting, vendor show, and member reception on June 11 at the Springfield Sheraton. Attorney Christopher Pierson from Bacon Wilson, P.C. was sworn in as HCBA president for 2025-26, and attorney Kathleen O’Malley of Raipher, P.C. (pictured) was presented with the first Thomas A. Kenefick III Memorial Award for Leadership & Professionalism by attorney Michael Jennings. Fifty-year members of the bar were also recognized, including judges Henry Boroff, Philip Contant, Robert Howarth, and Michael Ponsor; and attorneys Peter Barry, Mary Costello, Thomas Costello, Gerald Glasser, L. Jeffrey Meehan, Stephen Manning, Joseph Pacella, and Aaron Wilson.
Attorney Christopher Pierson from Bacon Wilson, P.C. was sworn in as HCBA president for 2025-26, and attorney Kathleen O’Malley of Raipher, P.C. (pictured) was presented with the first Thomas A. Kenefick III Memorial Award for Leadership & Professionalism by attorney Michael Jennings
